The Milwaukee Bucks are standing firm on keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo, despite swirling trade rumors. While speculation suggested the two-time MVP might request a move, the franchise has repeatedly denied those claims and is reportedly looking to add a “difference maker” to strengthen the roster.
NBA insider Chris Haynes recently provided an update, revealing that the Bucks are targeting a two-time All-Star guard as part of their efforts to convince Antetokounmpo to stay.
Bucks Targeting a 2x All-Star
While Antetokounmpo remains one of the most dominant players in the league, the Bucks have struggled this season, currently sitting at 11–17, which ranks them 11th in the Eastern Conference. With the team far from contention, it’s understandable that Antetokounmpo might be frustrated with the current situation.
The Bucks are actively looking to bolster their roster, and according to Haynes, Sacramento Kings star Zach LaVine is on their radar.
“The Milwaukee Bucks are in desperate pursuit of trying to look out on the trade market to see if they can bring in a difference maker type of player … one of the guys I’ve identified is Zach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings. He is one player they have done their homework on.
“There hasn’t been any concrete, serious talks to this point but he is someone who is on their radar,” said Haynes on NBA on Prime.
Chris Haynes says the Bucks are targeting Zach LaVine to help Giannis but there have been no “concrete serious talks to this point” pic.twitter.com/0doOWGpOld
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) December 20, 2025
Other players reportedly linked to Milwaukee include Andrew Wiggins, Marcus Smart, Dejounte Murray, and Jerami Grant, but LaVine appears to be the frontrunner. Given the Bucks’ current roster construction, adding a player of LaVine’s caliber would help address the team’s shortage of wings.
“They are thin on the wing between Antetokounmpo (when healthy) and Myles Turner and the Bucks’ young backcourt. The team’s lack of available draft capital, furthermore, means that its only likely avenue to acquiring a difference-maker during the season is by taking on a contract, like LaVine’s, that most teams consider too pricey,” wrote NBA insider Jake Fischer about the fit.
LaVine, currently in the fourth year of a five-year, $215,159,700 contract, is 30 years old and still in his prime, aligning with Antetokounmpo’s win-now timeline. In Sacramento, he has quietly produced at a high level, averaging 20.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game, while shooting 48.7% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc.
With nearly half the league keeping a close eye on Antetokounmpo’s trade availability, the Bucks will need to act quickly if they want to provide Giannis with the support necessary to remain competitive this season, and LaVine could be the game-changing addition they’ve been searching for.
